People are urged to turn out and give their support to the freedom parade by The Yorkshire Regiment on Saturday, October 25, the first such parade since they ceased being the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

The smartly-dressed soldiers will be led by their regimental band.

The regiment incorporates the former Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), which is now the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s).

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment was granted the ‘freedom’ of the former Huddersfield County Borough in 1952.

This was taken over by Kirklees Council on local government reorganisation in 1974.

When the Dukes became part of The Yorkshire Regiment in 2006 the freedom was transferred to the regiment.

The last parade by the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment was in 2002.

Kirklees Mayor Clr Karam Hussain said: “Awarding the freedom of the borough to individuals, and in this case the former Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, is an honour that is very rarely given.

“Times have moved on in recent years and the former Dukes are now proudly part of The Yorkshire Regiment.

“Their connection with Huddersfield goes back hundreds of years and I am pleased The Yorkshire Regiment will be having this special parade through the town.

“The 2002 parade marked the 300 years anniversary of the former Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and this is the first of what I hope will be many more freedom parades by The Yorkshire Regiment.

“The Yorkshire Regiment is very much welcomed to Huddersfield for what will be a very colourful and spectacular parade.

“I hope people of all ages will come to Huddersfield to give their support to this very special group of our armed forces whose connections with the area goes back for such a long time.”

The salute will be taken by the mayor and the regiment’s deputy colonel, Simon Newton.

The parade starts from St John’s Road at 10.40am and takes in John William Street, Market Place, Cloth Hall Street, Market Street, Westgate, Market Place for the salute.

It will continue along the New Street precinct and then go up High Street, returning to St John’s Road via Market Street, Railway Street and John William Street.